Michael Devine (hunger striker)
Michael James "Mickey" Devine (26 May 1954–20 August 1981) was an Irish founding member of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA). He died in prison during the 1981 Irish hunger strike.
Michael Devine | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Michael James Devine 26 May 1954 |
| Died | 21 August 1981 (aged 27) |
| Cause of death | Hunger strike |
| Organization | INLA |
| Known for | Hunger strike of 60 days, from 22 June 1981 |
Background
Devine, also known as "Red Mickey" because of his red hair,[1] was born into a family from the Springtown Camp, Derry, Republic Of Ireland .
In 1960, when Devine was six years of age, the Devine family including his grandmother, sister Margaret and parents Patrick and Elizabeth, moved to the then newly built Creggan estate to the north of Derry city centre.
Devine was educated at Holy Child Primary School and St. Joseph's Secondary School, both in the Creggan.
Political activities
After British soldiers shot dead two unarmed civilians, Dessie Beattie and Raymond Cusack, Devine joined the James Connolly Republican Club in Derry in July 1971.[2][3] Bloody Sunday had a deep impact on Devine.[4] In the early 1970s, Devine joined the Irish Labour Party and Young Socialists.[5]
Paramilitary activity
Devine helped found the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) in 1975.[3] In 1976, after an arms raid in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland, Devine was arrested in Northern Ireland. He was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He joined the blanket protest before joining the hunger strike.[3]
Hunger strikes
Devine participated in a brief hunger strike in 1980, which was called off without fatalities.[4] On 22 June 1981, Devine joined the 1981 hunger strike at the Maze Prison. He died on 20 August,[6] the tenth and last of the hunger strikers to die.[4]
References
- Hayden, Tom. "Between Hope and History", Los Angeles Times, 19 August 2001
- Tírghrá. National Commemoration Centre. 2002. p. 244. ISBN 0-9542946-0-2.
- Fallen Comrades of the IRSM - Michael Devine Archived 2006-11-29 at the Wayback Machine
- Cowan, Rosie. "Why I had to let my brother die", The Guardian, 1 April 2001
- Boddy Sands Trust. "Mickey Devine", Belfast, 2012
- Melaugh, Martin. "Conflict Archive on the Internet" (CAIN), University of Ulster